11 March 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Ankara, in line with its celebration of the 2015 National Women's Month, held a photo exhibit  titled "The Filipina: Trail-blazers, Decision-makers; Leaders," which featured 56 Filipino women who are considered the best in their fields.

The said exhibit was organized in support of the Philippine Commission on Women's (PCW) theme for this year's celebration "Juana, Desisyon Mo ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa, Ikaw Na!", which aims to highlight women's key roles and accomplishments in leadership, management and decision-making. The featured Juanas were categorized in to the following fields: Political and International Relations; Socio-cultural and Sports; /Business and Economy; Science and Technology; Sheroes; and Filipina Overseas.

The Heads and members of the ASEAN Missions in Turkey, lady officials from government institutions, and members of the Filipino communities in Ankara and Istanbul were among the 110 guests who attended the photo exhibit. Philippine Ambassador to Turkey Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez shared with the guests the official message of the PCW, calling on all women to be “sheroes” in their respective fields, and encouraged all ‘Juanas’ "to dream, aspire and inspire."  Vice Consul Ericka Anna Abad, in her remarks, expressed the hope that the women featured in the exhibit will inspire the attendees to be the best versions of themselves. 

After the opening speeches, guests were invited to view the photo exhibit “The Filipina: Trail-blazers, Decision-makers; Leaders.”  Among the personalities featured in the photo exhibit were Former President Corazon C. Aquino, renowned artist Lea Salonga, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Deles, and many others.  Many of the guests wore purple, the color theme for the Women’s Month, in solidarity with women all over the world.  As one of the highlights of the program, and in solidarity with the PCW's celebration held on the same date, the Embassy women and children and Filipino community leaders led the performance of the street dance "Juana, Ikaw na ang Manguna."

Philippine Consul General Robert Ferrer, in his closing remarks, read President Aquino's message which emphasized the contribution of Filipinas’ participation in different sectors to the achievement of a sustainable and inclusive economic development.  The key message was that all the Filipino women, including those in attendance who were mostly household service workers, can become like any of the Filipino women achievers featured in the exhibit. END